Calculating-machine.



PATENTED DEC. 1.1, 1906.

J. F. MAYS. CALCULATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23. 1904.

6 SHEETSSHIJET 1.

Witnesses Httornegs PATENTED DEC. 11, 1906. J. F. MAYS CALCULATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZS, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses w I W PATENTED DEC. 11, 1906.

J. F. MAYS. CALCULATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED mu s, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Attornegs N0- 838,l28. PATBNTED DEC. 11, 1906. 4

J. F. MAYS. GALOULATING MAGHINE. APPLIUATION FILED JULY 23. 1904.

' a SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Inveptor b9 I Httomegs Witnesss No. 838,128. PATENTED DEC. 11, I906.

J. F. MAYS.

CALCULATING MACHINE.

APPQIUATION FILED JULYZS. 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

WWWWWVIWMWMWW gW itne es 5 7 JWEJZWS Inventor Httomgs No. 838,128. PATENTED 11130.11, 1906,

J. F. MAYS. CALCULATING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 23 1904.

8 BHEETS-SEEBT 8.

Witnesses I Invfafito W b9 State of Alabama,.have invented a new and means to effect a prompt return of each key '0 gained and the fact that the operat will vary with the increase in the spring ten- UN: i-

JAM ES Filth Ci M ASSiGNhiEN Ti t), QAID hi its tnf ii'i hi Q eiii ik ,a

$50. 838,128. I Specification. of Letters Patented 33 ec. 3.1, Li ht Application filed July 23, 190 Serial No. 217.851. i

T 0 all whom/ it Ina/y concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES FRANCIS Minis,

1 these and other objects in view, 1 a citizen of the United States, residing at i l l e fully hereinafter appear, the inven tion consists of the novel construction and ement of parts hereinafter -inlly de- .lustrated in the accompanying drai u..1gs, end particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor-details of the structure may be made without departing from the spn'it or sacrificing any of the advantages of the in vention.

in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adding-machine constructed in accordance with the invention' Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, per-- tion oi the mechanism being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional eieva tion of the machine. Fig. 4: is a detail view. looking sit the front of the'machine, portions of the casing being broken away in order to more clearly illustrate the constructi on. Fig. 5 is a transverse secti cnal'elcvution of the front portion of the machine on the line Soil? Fig.fiisadetuilview ally-operated portion oi the resetting mechan ism, showing the dotted-line positions oi the some. Fig. 7 is c sectionsl elevation of portion of the mechanism looking from the rear toward. the trout oi" the machine and showing the niultiplyinggearing between the main shafts and the registeringdisks. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the ratchet mechanism for transmitting movement of each main I shaft to one of the multiplying mechanisms. Fig. 9 is a view looking from-the top of the machine, illustrating the units, tens, and 8. portion of the hundreds disks and illustrating particularly the constrimtion and operation of the transfer mechanism. Fig. 10 is a transverse sections-l elevation of a portion of the mechanism near the rear wall 6f the cusing, showing the meens for 'oil'ering uniform resistance to the depression of the keys. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the same. higflZ- is a detail perspective view of the kev-actuaated can lever detached. I

Similar numerals of re'l'erence are employed to illustrate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The device forming the subject of the present invention is one oi that class oi machines in which useparete o cling-shaft is employed or each. column 0; igures that is I to say, one shai'tfor the units-column, 2111-.

Birmingham, in the county of Jefferson and.

useful Calculating-Machine, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to improvements in calculating-machines.

it is my object to provide such a machine with a plurality of registering devices which. are severally operated by sets of keys, the movements of each device being determin .l. by the value of the key depressed in its corresponding set. Each set of keys engages a l rock-shaft, to which they impart rotary movements of varyin degrees, which in turn are transmitted to the registering devices. By the provision of springs or equivalent to initial position after it has been depressed. it will be evident that my machine may be operated like type-writer, much time b saved by transmitting the registerin movement direct from the keys to the indicating devices-and avoiding the operation of levers or cranks to eii'ect such registry as is the practice with the key-set machines now in general use. in addition. to the speed thus 'on of the keys maybe carried on continuouslyi ithout 1 stop my invention possesses great advantages in simplicity of construction and consequent cheapness of manufacture, which will be evident from a comparison with other similar machines.

Where a set of keys are required to imoart varying movements to a transmission ele: ment against the action of spring means provided to return it to initial position, the power required to operate the several keys sion as the element approachesthe full limit of its trove-l. As this variable key resistance g would materially interfere with the speedyoperation of the machine, it is a further object of my invention to so construct and mount the various keys as to permit of a steady regular movement of uniform resistanco for tall keys withoutregard to the length. pf their stroke. This will insure the resistance to downward pressure being substantially the same at all points in the stroke of a, key Whether it be moved to the extent corresponding with a single unit or nine units.

units and tens columns, which may he usedto'lesignate'decimal values or cents, are preferabl-y White, the hundreds, thousands, and tens-Of-thcitis'ahds columns are 'black, and thea'emaining two columns are preferably white, so that it will be 'a comparatively easy matte to select the proper coiunin when a key is to be depressed.

The casing of the machine is generally rectangular, being somewhat lower at the front than at the rcar, so as to present a silighftlydndined upper face, and the keys are so arranged that they all extend for the same distance from the upper face of the easing instead of being placed in stepped hanks, it being found from experience that the former method leads to the most accurateand 'rapidoperation of the machine.

The 'front wall 1, rear wall 2, and opposite sides 3 of the casingare preferelily formed (it *nreta'l frames holding transparent panels efg'lassfthrough which the worldnv of all portions of themechanismfine y he 0 served, so that in case of derangement of the "parts it may he instantly detected. The top of the casing is Torrned of 'a plurality of thin metallic strips .4, extending within a short 'dis tan'ceofthe front Wall, and from thence 'to the front of the casing is arranged a glass panel 5,-through which maybe observed the several registering or totaling disks, the disks being protected from dirt and dust, so that t'henunierals on the disks will at all times he clearl-yvisible, sniff-necessary, the glass may be sf such character as to slightly magnify the numerals.

In the casing are arranged bearings for the support of-a series-ofs'haftsti, all of which are of t 'e-s'a'rne construction, theshaft at the extrenie right of the machine beingeinployed forthe-operation (if the units "registeringdisk, the next for the fop'era'tion "(if the teens regiswring-disk, and so on throughout the Width of-t'hemac'hine. Tliebearingsfor theseveral shafts are formed by plates'iandfifdisposed, respectively, at pointsneeer t'he front and rear we ls of the 'cas1ng,"and said shafts are ,'fur ther supported at intermediate cross-hers 19, each "having approximately semicircular netch'e'sfnr the reception{of the shaft/the Walletone sideof thenotch being continued up higherfit'han that at the 0p 0- site side in order to prevent accidental is shaft is supported by the In the present caseeight columns points by placement of the sh its. The new of'each shaft are reduced in di the shaft is further provided a i P throughout its length at point: Where Hus construction servii'ig to hold U10 displacement in the-direction of Each shaft is provided at ireqi throughout its length with meld, that are engaged by the l-revs, so pression of a key will cause a of the shaft, the angular dish 1' tative movement being. propr uz value of the numeral some by Elli, pressed. in practice the extent of ment for each uni value is sir key hearing the numeral 2 the shaft will he revolved to the in J twelve degrees, and so on up number 9," the depression o'i' this digit serving to revolve the extent of fifty-loin degrees carries nine arms eorrespondin, to thc'niiie digits, and as the ngachine in the f stance has eight vertical Jews of total number of such he is sevent lhekevs are all of the same cons each inchuling a shank portion 'l'ormod bar rectangular in crossscct' 1, "and l i the upper end of ivhich is secured. l'

l2 in the form ol' a disk, the upper l which is hollowed or dished, 1' r of the linger-tips, and on top cl" 0:

piece is one oi the-digits, ti o.

keys, constitutir the units 1-1) unins, being print in hint i.

dreds, thousands, and tons-oj umns, wherethe linger-iii i printed inwvhite, and the remaining 'colu rnfns hear nunierals l cblack. In addition to this each oi t hears'sinall numerals-of a noun i running in revorseorderto the LLll61lt8ilh of the digits and commencing at the '9 key with O and 1 ending with i X :s key at 8. These digits, il()YVO/'Yi,i

during subtraction and for other piupi s,

the larger-digits in the center 0 he he heing emp'loyed when the machine is used for the ordinary purposes of addition. i5

1 The'thin flat metallic shanks 1 1 1 keys are in pm guided hythe'top a of use casing, and for this purpose said top coinpris a plurality'of strips of thin sheet metal ei; 2d-

ing in parallel relation across the to Yof'tht 1:: machine .on lines parallel with the side Walls of the strips, having one edge. J L fer cent with the straight sides-0f one W of shanks and its oppositiedge being provided *ith recesses '15 for the reception of the 1:5 shanks oi the next mljacent row. n"

"forms-'aconvenient means of essemhli parts and at the same time affords prectic'ally (lllSl'w roof protec"on the ice.- chine. At tile iewer portion al the; casing 1 ,0

eachoi theliey opening tori. or in a bar or plate 17, su ported at one end. by the plate 7 and at the opposite bracket 18, and under the bar o;v

gco elev to the number '.-.uiged Within cylindrical casin 20. of each of the cylinders 20 or plate 2.1, that tits under bottom of the casing by nnings .22, and said cased with openings for the ring-carrying cylinders, so y, any one or all of the cyladily removed from the botmaclnne by loosening the securing-- screws, thus facilitating repairs in the 20 event of damage to the springs.

The keys, above described, are arranged with their fing r pieces in a plane parallel with the plane of the upper'inclined cover of the casing, so that all of the digits of the 2 5 keys will be visible, and thus facilitate the selection of proper keys when the machine is being rapidly operated. Upward movement of the keys under the influence of springs 19 is stopped by small pins 23, ex-

tending through the key-shanks and adapted for enga ement with the under side of the top of tie'casin The downward moveate 17 are ings of a number equal rnent of the keys is limited by shoulders 24,v which practically form the lower edges of the- 3 linger-engaged disks, and as the keys of each row move, respectively, different distances the height of the shoulder from the top of the gradually increases from the keybea .ng digit 1 to the key-bearing digit 9. 0 The movement of the key is completed when i t e shoulder Mstrikcs against the top of the casing, and it is then quickly released by the operator to permit its return under the iniluence or spring 19 it being here observed .5 that the springs'employed are only'su'llicient to insure the prompt return of the keys.

In the shank of each of the keys is arranged lcngitudir l slot 26, through which the several rocker ins extend, and in each slot is a small grooved roller 27, mounted on a pin 28, extending through the key-shank. The roller normally rests directly on the rocker-arm 10,

and as soon as the downward movement of the hey-levers commences the arm and shaft will he turned, the extent of movement depending on the digit carried by the key.

The angular movements imparted to the rocloshaft 6 are transmitted to the registering or totalizw als at the front of the mao chine; but before describing these connectipns attention is directed tothe'rear portion or the machine, viherefmeans are provided for insuring a smooth even stroke of the key of practically uniform resistance from the beginning to the end of the stroke WllL IOUt anks guided in a suitable id by substantially vertical regard to the extent of depression. To each of the shafts 6 is secured a rocker-arm 80, having at its lower end an antilriction-roller 81; engaging the rounded lower surtac of a canrlevcr that is pivoted on a pin 33, carried by the plate 8, there being one oi? such cam-levers for each of the shafts 6. The on posite end of the lever is in the form of a short arm 84. havin" a pin 35,Wh1ch' ro ects through a slot 36,.formed in the partition, the

curved walls of the slot being on lines struck from the centerof the pivot-pin 33. To the faceof the par tion are secured small blocks 38, carrying leaf-springs 39,- that bear against the inner sides of. the pins 35 and tend to force the rounded cam shaft of the levers 32 into engagement with the antifriction-roller 31. The curvature of the cam-lever 32 with respect to the arm30 and shaft 6 is such that the cam under the influence of the spring 39 will tend to restore the arm 30 to its initial position. When this position is reached,

further movement of the arm will'be prevent ed by a stop-pin 40, carried by an arm 41, projecting from the rocker-shaft 6, the stoppin moving into engagement with the top of the partition 8 and stopping the shaft at the same point after each operation.

In ordinary mechanisms employing springs where energy is stored for a return movement the construction is such that the greater the extent of such movement the greater Will be the stress of the spring and the resistance to. the movement Will be increased in proportion to the distance trav el'ed, this being highly objectionable on any key-operated -machin-e,tl1e lack of uniforinity in touch preventing manipulation of the machine at high speed. In the present instance this di'lliculty is overcome by the provision of a lever so held by a spring that the stresslof the spring will be substantially the same Without regard to the extent of movement of the lever and Without regard to the extent of movement of the linger-key, and the resistance offered by the spring on the depression of a key will be substantially uniform ."through the Whole of the stroke Whether the key depressed represents a one or two unit value or an eight or nine unit value.

The construction and mounting of the ca1nlever' 3G such that a full stroke of a key, being equivalent to an angular movement of fifty-four egrees of one of the shafts 6 will result in moving the spring to the extent of less than one-fourth of an inch, and as the roller 31 is gradually moved out- Ward it increases its (istance from the fulcrum-point 33 of the lever, and the force exerted on the depression of a key will operate more efl'ectively on the lever and spring. The resistance of the spring will of course increase in proportion to the extent of benz. ing movement; but this is counterbalanced by of the reel: is transferred to all of the mutilated gears 88, and the radially-disposed arms 91 in turning will one or other of the pins 81 and restore the totaling-disks to zero position by the time the crank-lever is engagecl With the pin 103. The crank is again moved to the left until it comes into contact with the pin 102. This moves the plate 82 outward until the arms 91 are out of the path oi movement of the pins 81, after which the operator may proceed with another calculation.

l vith a mechanism of this class it is possible to perform 'all of the ordinary operations of adding, subtracting, mulithplymg, the. and owing to the arrangement of the parts and. the uniform resistance of the keys the ma chine may be manipulated both accurately and rapidly. A

Having thus described the invention, What i claim is 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination With plurality of rows of rlepressible keys, of an indicating means for each row of keys, and. means, operable by the keys of each row, which comprise oscillatory. rock-shafts which axes and act to move the corresponding indi-- means to an extent determined by the operated lrey, saicl keys and means being adapted to engage only during the depression of a key, and spring means to restore said parts to initial position.

2. in a machine of the character described, a plurality of rows of keys, an indicating means for s eh row of keys, means to transmit movement from the keys of each row to their respe :tive indicating means, saicl means contiprising an oscillatory member so mounted and disposed. relatively to the lreys that operate it that it presents a uniform resistance to their movements, and transmission means which bring saicl members and their respective indicating means into operative engagement during the movements of saicl members in. misdirection only.

3. in a machine oi'the character describe-cl, a plurality of spring-pressed keys, a plurality of spring-pressed oscillatory rock-shafts adapted to he ens-aged and moved in one direction for varying distances by different keys, an indicating dial for each rock-shaft,

and a clog-and-ratchet connection heteween each shaft and dial, as and for the purposes described.

In a machine of the character described, a plurality of sets of lrevs, an oscillatory rock-shaft for each set of lreys adapted to be rocked thereby on a len 'itudinal axis to an extent determined by the operated key, spring means to return said shafts to initial position, indicating devices, and means to transmit movement from said. rock-shat'ts to indicating devices.

5. In a machine'of t turn on lon tuclinal he character described,

a plurality of rows of keys, plurality of oscillatory rock-shafts havin longitudinal axes of rotation, each ofWhic-hs afts is adapt erl to be rockerl by the keys of a row to an ex: tent corresponding with the value of the operated hey, spring means return the shafts to initial position, a set oi? item-Wheels, one for each row of keys, and m11ltiplying-gearing connecting said rock-shafts and Wheels.

In a machine or" the character described, a plurality oi roWsof keys, a plurality of rock-shafts pro ided with roclrenarms, the lreys'of each rot icing adapted to-engage ms and move a shaft to an extent letcrm -ccl by the'operaterl key, and, indicating devices, each of liich operatively connected to e rock-shaft anal adapted to he -mcveri' thereby.

. 7 in a machine-of the character described, a plurality of sets of keys, a rock-shaft operaterl by each set of keys, rocker-arms on said shafts, antitriction means to transmit 1110- tion from the keys to the r0cker-arms of their respective rock-shaft to rock the latter to an extent determined by the operated key, indicating devices, and means to transmit movement from said rock shafts to said indicating devices. 1

8. In a calculating-machine, a plurality of rock-shafts each. having a series of reel erarms, a row of ringer-keys engaging said arms, means for limiting the stroke'oi the finger-keys in accordance with the values which they represent, and means for indicating the extent of rotative movement of the shafts.

9. In a calculating-machine, a pluralit of rock shafts each having a series of 1366(61"? arms, finger-keys having shanks, pins or antifriction-rollers carried by the key-shanlrs for engaging the arms, means for limiting downward movement of the keysin accordance" With the values which they represent, and means the front of the machine for indicating; the extent of rotativemovement oi the shafts.

10. in a calculating-machine, a plurality of rock-shafts, each having a series of rockerar as, finger-keys having shank portions, pins or antifriction-rollers carried by the shanks for engaging said arms, means for indicating the extent of rotative movement, and means connected to each shaft for resisting movement and for restoring the same to initial position. 1

l l. in a calculating-machine, a plurality of rocleshafts, each proyidezi at intervalstvith reclucesi portions, a plurality of transversely? disposed shaft-supporting bars having recesses for the reception or such reduced ortions, rocker-arms on the shafts, finger.- eys for engaging the rocker-arms, and means for limiting the extent of rotative movement of the shafts. i v

12. in a calculating-machine, a frame, a

IIO

at 11'- 1 through which said keys pass.

:i celculoting-machine, a frame, :1

rows of finger-keys, and a pluralstrips forming the top of the L posedbetween the rows oikeys, i ps 1;; independently removable h; disturbing the keys or i'emoving 5 their finger picces. v

In a. co leting-Inechi re, a frame, a

plurality oi fins rows, and e lreys arranged in parallel T53 formed. of a plurality oi strips i eppnminutely equal to the 1 two rows clheys, one edge being disposed in a straight line cut with the sides of one row of i he opposite edge of each stri be for the reception of the shan ks of ranks at an intermediate point and is operated thereby, guides for the lower ends of l shanks, end spring means to return said to initizip sition which are carried byuides, rid guides being separately rehlc through openings in thecasing.

In a celculatirig-machine, a casing havot'tom porjion provided with plural 01. open in -s, 'tinger-lteys having shank por-- rs in nlinement with the openings, and s wing-retaining boxes or tubes into which c shanks extend, said boxes or tubes forming springqguides and being removable with the g through the bottom openings.

17. In a celcMating-machine, a, casing, the

Emttmn oi? which is provided with a, plurality linger-keys having shank porient with said open ngs, cylin- 1 mg guiding and retaining casings ing through said openings and having A abutting against the bottom and springs disoosed. within v. ting downward. moved. in e cmcnl ting-machine, a rock-shaft, cys'mllipled to rock smd shaft to vavtcnts nccorduw to the he deiressed H i l l p 111;: mu ns to resist one rocking movc- :rrtm in said lacvs said means not- 1 l l to present a Slltlfit fbntlwlly umtorm rcsisti to u t the entire key-actuated n c m min it P ir-zirm,

pressed 14: v er u rocker-mm, t cruin of the lover pi (itchy-mounted springresisting movement oi the distance between the fuland. the pointoi' connection 1 I I l ungz mmchi-ne, 1 rock-shalt, '1

see, 12s

between the arm and lever increasing in proportion to the resistance of the spring.

20. In a calculating-machine, a rock-shaft, rocker-arm carried thereby, a pivotcllymounted lever with which the arm engages, and aspring acting on the lever and tending to resist movement of the arm, said arm and lover being slidably connected to increase the distance between the point of connection between the two and the fulcrum as the resist ance offered by the spring increases.

21. In a calculating-macl1ine, c rock-shaft,

a rocker-arm carried thereby, and a, spring pressed cam-faced lever with which the arm engages, said lever having a curved. portion following approximately the are described by the end of the arm.

22. In a calculatin -machine, a rock-shaft, a rocker-arm, an anti'friction-roller carried thereby, a cam-lever pivoted at a point intermediate of its length and having its longer end mounted forengagement by the roller and a spring acting on the shorter end of sci lever andtending to resist movement of the ver connection between the spring and the member, the distance between the fulcrum ol the lever and the pomt ol connection of the lever and member increasing as the resistance offered by the sprin ncreases.

25. In a ca1culctingmiechine, the combination with o roclshaft, n rocker-arm, of an uni-driction-roller carried by the arm, a lever pivoted at a point intermediate its length and having its longer arm curved for engagement by the roller, and a spring; engaging the shorter arm of the lever and receiving the movement thereof.

26. In a calcul:iting-nnichine, a plurality of rock-shells, each having a series of rockerrms, keys having shanks for engaging the rocker-arms, a pendent rocker-arm secured to one end of each shaft, and a spring pressed lcver'having a curved cam-face with which the pendent rockcrnrm engages.

2. The combination in e calculating-mechinev of a plurality of rock-shafts each havit series of IOL'liGPflJIDS, finger-keys having slmnk portions engaging the rocker-arms,

a spring tending to restore each rock-arm to secured to each shaft and having a stop-pin 'ror engaging a hxed portion 01 the machine.

28. In a calculating-machine, the COHlbl- 1 initial position, and an auxiliary rocker-arm nation with a'plurality of rock-shafts each having a series of rocker-arms, a slotted partition arranged near the rear end of the machine and engaging the support for the shafts, fingenkeys for engaging the rockerarms, a pendent rocker-arm secured to each shaft, a cam-lever fulcmrned to the partition and having pins projecting through the slot thereof, a plate-spring supported by the partition and engaging the pin, an antifrictionroller carried by the pendent rocker-arm for I engaging the cam-lever, and an auxiliary rocker-arm having a stop-pin for engaging 1 the top of the partition.

Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as 15 1 my own I have hereto affixed my signature 1 in the presence of two witnesses.

! JAMES FRANCIS us.

i Witnesses:

i J. L. YANOEY,

1 Y J. P. MAY. 

